The Selangor state government is working closely with Indian NGOs to provide finance and training skills to Indians who have been neglected for 60 years in the B40 category living under poverty-stricken conditions.
Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali said it is unfortunate that the Indians have been ignored over the years.
"The state will empower the Indian community by giving grants and interest-free loans under the Selangor Indian Entrepreneurial Programme to start-up businesses and raise their level of income. "
This is a public-public partnership, where the Selangor state government works together with NGOs who are familiar with the Indian grassroots in order to build their capacity to start micro-businesses.
The state government has so far allocated RM300 million for all races in the state to start up small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Speaking at the launch of the state’s entrepreneurial programme last night in Shah Alam, Azmin added that the state would allocate more to help the Indians in the B40 poverty line bracket that is earning less than RM3,000 per month.
“We believe in helping and empowering all races in building business communities, health, education, religious and cultural activities. Selangor will not only focus one race but all races in building up communities in all parts of the state.
“The Indians have been ignored for a long time and under our Caring programmes, we will focus on improving the people under the B40 category,” he said before the launch of the Selangor Indian Entrepreneurial programme.
Later, to kick-start the programme, Azmin presented cheques totaling RM600,000 to 15 Indian NGOs who will disburse the funds to those in the B40.
The initiative to help the B40 Indian community was mooted by DAP’s Klang MP Charles Santiago to Azmin, who has tasked Santiago to draft a proposal.
Azmin also commended Santiago (photo) for helping the poor among the Indian community to increase their household incomes.
Santiago said, “About 450 people will be trained and provided interest-free loans to start the business.
"Funds will also be allocated to Indians who have started the business and need more for expansion. The training will entail skills development, digital marketing, and financial management.
“Our approach will focus on working with the Indian B40 group and it is through a public-public partnership between the state government and NGOs that have experience working with the Indian poor,” he added.
The training courses are in cooking, photography, jewellery, graphics, bridal makeup, tailoring, bag making, floral arrangement, baking, manicure, and pedicure, etc. The courses are between 25 and 65 hours.
The program will be offered throughout the state of Selangor.
“We believe this is a social investment to help improve human capital in the B40 group so as to increase their household income,” added Santiago.
Some of the participants have already started their businesses and are earning money. -Mkini
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